In this article, we take a look at the 10 best countries to headquarter a corporation. If you want to check out our detailed analysis of the role of a corporate center, go directly to the 25 Best Countries to Headquarter a Corporation.
10. New Zealand
CEO World Ranking: 10
US News Ranking: 13
Average Ranking: 11.5
New Zealand is one of the two most advanced economies in Oceania. There are no restrictions to capital inflow and outflow in New Zealand, making it one of the best countries when it comes to financial logistics.
Its educated workforce, strong legal system, and its 12 free trade agreements grant it considerable access to markets, especially the ones in Asia Pacific.
9. Luxembourg
CEO World Ranking: 11
US News Ranking: 8
Average Ranking: 9.5
Luxembourg is especially suited for companies in the financial sector, since its economy is heavily based on the financial industry. Moreover, being a member of the EU, Luxembourg has 46 preferential trade agreements, allowing it to access huge markets in Europe.
The high spending on public education has also resulted in Luxembourg’s workforce being one of the most skilled in the world. In addition, the country has a low corporate tax rate of 17%.
8. Netherlands
CEO World Ranking: 7
US News Ranking: 12
Average Ranking: 9.5
The Netherlands is one of the best countries to headquarter a corporation. It is especially suited for small companies whose annual revenue is less than $0.42 million, which is taxed at a lower rate of 19% in the country.
7. United Kingdom
CEO World Ranking: 9
US News Ranking: 6
Average Ranking: 7.5
The UK is one of the best countries to headquarter a corporation due to a comparatively huge domestic market and a low corporate tax rate of 19%.
6. Sweden
CEO World Ranking: 8
US News Ranking: 5
Average Ranking: 6.5
Sweden is one of the most economically powerful Scandinavian countries and is one of the best countries to headquarter a corporation in the Nordic region.
5. Denmark
CEO World Ranking: 1
US News Ranking: 9
Average Ranking: 5
Copenhagen, the Capital of Denmark, is widely regarded as the logistics hub for Nordic countries, enabling shipment of goods to 100 million Scandinavian consumers within 24 hours.
Running a corporation is also easy in Denmark. For instance, the World Bank ranks it as the fourth best country for obtaining construction permits, the best country when it comes to cross-border trade and the sixth best country for resolving insolvencies. Moreover, Denmark’s workforce is also highly cost-efficient and skilled.
4. Switzerland
CEO World Ranking: 5
US News Ranking: 1
Average Ranking: 3
Switzerland has one of the lowest corporate tax rates in Europe, at 8.5%. Moreover, it ranks second on The Heritage’s Economic Freedom Index. The country has easy access to the European markets and its workforce is highly skilled.
3. Canada
CEO World Ranking: 4
US News Ranking: 2
Average Ranking: 3
Canada has a highly educated and skilled workforce, strong regulatory framework, easy access to talent and consumers in the US and a sophisticated infrastructure, making it one of the best countries for headquartering companies.
2. Australia
CEO World Ranking: 3
US News Ranking: 3
Average Ranking: 3
Australia has a world-class education system, producing a skilled and talented workforce and the country has easy access to markets across Asia Pacific.
1. Germany
CEO World Ranking: 2
US News Ranking: 4
Average Ranking: 3
Germany is the biggest economy in Europe, with a huge domestic market, as well as access to all the other markets in the European Union. Further, it has one of the lowest corporate tax rates in Europe, at 15.8%, and its workforce is known for high technical expertise around the world.
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